Native to China, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan, this medium-sized freshwater turtle has also been introduced to other parts of Asia due to the pet trade and farming. Its adaptability to different habitats—including rivers, ponds, rice paddies, and even canals—has made it a widespread and familiar species across East Asia.
In terms of appearance, the Chinese Pond Turtle is usually dark brown to black, with a somewhat rectangular carapace (top shell). One of its most distinctive features is its three raised ridges running lengthwise along the carapace, which give it a rugged look. The plastron (underside of the shell) is usually lighter, sometimes with dark blotches. Its head and limbs are often marked with fine yellow stripes, giving it a subtle but attractive pattern. Males tend to be smaller but have longer tails, while females can grow larger and heavier-bodied.
This turtle is an omnivore, eating a wide range of foods. In the wild, it feeds on insects, worms, fish, aquatic plants, and algae. In agricultural areas, it helps control pests like snails and insects, though it has also been known to scavenge. Its ability to thrive on a flexible diet makes it highly adaptable, one reason why it can survive even in disturbed environments such as rice paddies and canals. Like many turtles, it spends much of its time basking on rocks or logs during the day to regulate body temperature and retreats quickly into the water when disturbed.
Distribution
China
East Timor
Hong Kong
Indonesia
Japan
Korea
North Korea
Palau
TaiwanAnything we've missed?
Help us improve this page by suggesting edits. Glory never dies!
Suggest an editGet to know me
Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
